Wells and boreholes are the most popular sources of individual water supply. Wells are up to 10 meters deep, while boreholes are 10 meters deep and deeper. Both types of water supply have advantages and disadvantages.
Types of wells
A well is drilled to a sand or artesian aquifer. The diameter of a sand borehole is 3.6 to 5 centimeters. It is also known as an Abyssinian well. Its depth is shallower than that of an artesian borehole. Sand borehole filters are installed at the level of the sand aquifer. The depth of such a water intake structure ranges from 20 to 50 meters. An artesian borehole is calibrated at 12 centimeters. The well depth is 50 to 100 meters.
Using a drilling rig, the pump draws fluid in regularly. The water passes through filters and is continuously pumped into the wellbore under pressure. The system ensures a regular supply of water after the old fluid has been withdrawn.
Types of wells
The well is dug in a circular shape. The well can be made of wood, stone, brick, or reinforced concrete. The water in the wellhead is at the nearest water table. The ring diameter is at least 0.5 meters. The well's depth reaches the solid bed, penetrating the water table by 0.5-2 meters. Manual or automatic devices are used to lift the liquid. The liquid drained from the water table is stored in the wellhead, and it takes time to refill the wellhead after use.
The water in a borehole never runs out compared to a well and can be pumped at any time.
What is cheaper, a well or a borehole?
Shaft-type wells are installed by specialists. Digging a well yourself is prohibited due to the risk of hitting quicksand and falling into the ground. Specialists calculate the cost of the service based on the cost of one concrete ring. The average price of a ring is 2,000 rubles. On average, 15 rings are required for a depth of 12 meters.
Thus, the total cost of digging a shaft-type well ranges from 70,000 rubles. Sand wells are dug using specialized equipment or a hand drill. The borehole depth is 12-13 meters. The work is carried out on sand or aquiferous soil.
There should be no clay at the drilling depth, as it can damage the structure. The cost of galvanized pipe for a sand well ranges from 20,000 rubles. Stainless steel pipe starts at 25,000-30,000 rubles. If the water is intended for garden irrigation, a pump will cost up to 10,000 rubles. If the drilling is being done to supply a bathroom and toilet, a pumping station will be required, costing from 10,000 rubles. An Abyssinian drilling rig must be mothballed in winter, drained, and capped. Use of a sand rig is prohibited in winter.
The depth of an artesian borehole ranges from 30 to 200 meters. The spring produces up to 5,000 cubic meters of fluid per hour. Drilling is performed using specialized heavy equipment. Work is carried out before or after the summer season to avoid damaging the existing landscape. A linear meter of grade 20 steel with a diameter of 4.5 millimeters and a threaded connection costs from 2,000 rubles. The price will depend on the grade and thickness of the metal. An artesian borehole requires the installation of a pump, which costs from 30,000 rubles. When choosing a pump, consider the depth of the borehole. The total cost of drilling a deep spring is approximately 100,000 rubles.
Well water is considered industrial water. It cannot be drunk without filtering. Filter prices range from 50,000 rubles to 250,000 rubles. Filters are installed within 2-3 weeks to ensure self-purification of the water.
Ease of use
When using a well the old-fashioned way, a bucket is lifted manually. Water is lifted using a submersible or surface unit. Submersible units are installed in the well, while surface units are mounted outside. Installation costs around 1,000 rubles. A well is convenient because it can be used when there is no electricity and the demand for water is high.
A drill rig is more convenient to use than a well because it doesn't require cleaning. Cleaning is accomplished with filters. To use a water pump when there's no power, a stand-alone generator is purchased. An advantage of a water pump is the unlimited amount of liquid it can extract.
Difficulties of care
Well maintenance includes cleaning and inspection at least twice a year. A well cover is essential for well maintenance, protecting it from dust, leaves, and debris. A well house is the best protection. Well water tends to stagnate, so a 20-centimeter diameter ventilation pipe is installed for ease of use and maintenance. If an animal gets into the well, it must be removed and the container disinfected. When lowering the well into the water, another person must be on the surface as a safety guard.
Before going down into a well, always check for gas levels.
They descend using a ladder and a rope. The person descending must wear a safety harness. When cleaning the well, sweep away all dirt, dust, and mold with a broom. If the deposits don't come off with a broom, use a metal scraper. All debris is collected and raised to the surface. The water that was in the tank during cleaning is removed to the surface in buckets. After all cleaning, the walls are washed with water, and the entire tank is disinfected.
If the well is filled with gas, descending it will be fatal. To check, lower a candle into the container. If its flame flickers or takes on the shape of a torch, there is gas contamination. If the flame goes out, there is a large amount of gas.
In winter, ice can form in the water supply, preventing water from rising. To ensure safe water use, one measure is to insulate the head and lid with eco-friendly material. Covering the lid with snow ensures the temperature inside remains above 5°C.
The main well maintenance methods are cleaning, flushing, and blowing. Cleaning is done with a bailer. A bailer is a hollow pipe up to 3 meters long. The pipe has a ball valve. It is lowered and raised using a rope. Flushing removes accumulated silt and sand. Flushing is done with pressurized fluid. The complexity of this maintenance lies in installing equipment with a flushing function. Blowing out an artesian well is accomplished using compressed air and abrasive particles. The contaminated fluid then flows to the surface.
The spring can be maintained using hydraulic shock. This method is similar to flushing, but requires the spring entrance to be securely sealed. This method is considered dangerous due to the potential for significant damage to the filter. Any cleaning and maintenance method is costly and labor-intensive.
Water quality
Well water doesn't have a rusty taste. The water's quality is affected by the region's environmental conditions, including the presence of livestock and crop farms, and waste dumps. Because the water is shallow, chemicals and precipitation can leach into the water.
Artesian water is of high quality due to its depth. This liquid contains virtually no salts, harmful metals, or debris.
An artesian spring can have a rusty smell, so a filtration system is necessary.
Service life
The service life of a well is 30-50 years. Regular cleaning, disinfection, and minor repairs are necessary to extend its lifespan. A sand well rig lasts at least 25 years, provided it is properly operated, maintained, and instructions for use and maintenance are followed. An artesian well rig can last up to 50 years.
What to choose: a borehole or a well
Any method of extracting this vital liquid has its pros and cons. A well is dug if the site lacks suitable strata for drilling.
Advantages of the well:
- cheap installation work;
- ease of use;
- no dependence on electricity supply.
Disadvantages of the spring:
- possibility of flooding;
- the possibility of the source drying up;
- the need for regular cleaning and disinfection;
- low water intake point.
A drilling rig is an expensive, but practical, modern installation. If funding is tight and the water will be used for industrial purposes, a well is the best option.
Well or borehole, reviews
There are as many opinions as there are people. Each method of water extraction has its pros and cons. Before making a decision, it's important to have research on water availability and drilling feasibility. The budget is also a significant factor. The intended use of the water resource remains an important consideration.
I dug a well and drilled a borehole on my property. I use the first source for irrigation, the second for drinking.
Nikolay, 38 years old
I'm drilling a well. Lately, I've been to a customer's place, and the well has dried up. Artesian water is usually good quality, but it all depends on the area. Sometimes the water is rusty and even in the artesian layer, it has an off-flavor, or it stops pumping altogether.
Andrey, 48 years old
I installed a well. It can be cleaned and flushed. The borehole is getting clogged with silt. Maintenance work is needed. I'm in favor of the well.
Petr Ivanovich, 49 years old
First, I spent a ton of money drilling a well. Now I'm spending it removing iron from my water. I didn't expect to spend so much.
Anton, 26 years old